The Unique ID (UID) project, the world's largest biometric project that aims to provide every Indian citizen with a unique identification number, has hit the ground running. On Thursday, former Infosys executive Nandan Nilekani, who was appointed to head the ambitious projects, met chiefs of the IT/BPO industry.
"The UID model will help the government implement better public expenditure," Nilekani said, but cautioned India needed to develop its hardware base for implementation of the project.
"We are appointing a consultant to monitor the UID in two weeks. After that, we will first issue the proof of concept and then three pilots to take the project forward," Nilekani told the gathering.
The first enrollment of the unique ID may take place between August 2010 and February 2011, Nilekani said.
Sources say the project will be divided in six stages and would have two-three telecom service providers being appointed apart from IT vendors.
The unique ID project is expected to provide a huge windfall of business for Indian IT companies. NASSCOM has projected revenues worth USD 4 billion to flow into the sector by 2015 through the project.
